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Top 20 most influential African Americans

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Kanye West

Entertainer who recently released 'Watch the Throne,' a collaboration with Jay-Z that went platinum on pre-orders alone.

Influence: 95.3

Reach:19.1

Substance: 5

Media: 13,179

Internet: 196000000

Job: Rapper and record producer

Sector: Entertainment/Media

Location: New York

Age: 34

Critically acclaimed and controversial, Kanye West has won 14 Grammys and sold more than 25 million digital songs in the United States alone. He also owns a record label, G.O.O.D. Music, which features singer John Legend. Lately West has curbed his habit of dissing people and later apologizing, with his most public mea culpa being his post-Hurricane Katrina remark about former President George W. Bush not caring about black people. Some thought that West should have stood by his comment. Known for his interest in fashion, he debuted his women's clothing line, Dw by Kanye West, at Paris Fashion Week this year.